CS294-7 Presentation A Comparison of Animation Techniques Between American and Japanese Animation

Overview  American animation techniques are very broad, impossible to generalize, but best known for full animation.  Japanese animation, or “anime”, is not as well documented in the Western world, but best known for limited animation.  Differences seem to be more style and plot devices than technique.

Brief History - America  1900s to 1920s Silent age cartoons such as Felix the Cat, Mighty Mouse, and Betty Boop. Silent age cartoons such as Felix the Cat, Mighty Mouse, and Betty Boop.  1930s to 1940s Golden age of Disney cartoons. Golden age of Disney cartoons.  1950s to 1980s Television era dominated by Hanna-Barbera Productions. Television era dominated by Hanna-Barbera Productions.  1980s to present Decline of Saturday morning cartoons. Decline of Saturday morning cartoons. Resurgence of adult-oriented animation. Resurgence of adult-oriented animation. Mainstream popularization of “anime” in American culture. Mainstream popularization of “anime” in American culture.

Brief History - Japan  1900 First known animation of a boy wearing a sailor uniform saluting the camera (50 frames). First known animation of a boy wearing a sailor uniform saluting the camera (50 frames).  1963 First popular anime series, Astro Boy. First popular anime series, Astro Boy.  1970s Anime develops, separating itself from Western roots. Anime develops, separating itself from Western roots. Emergence of “mecha” anime genre. Emergence of “mecha” anime genre.  1980s Golden age of anime. Golden age of anime. Rise of “otaku” subculture. Rise of “otaku” subculture. Mainstream acceptance of anime in Japan. Mainstream acceptance of anime in Japan. Akira sets record for production costs in 1988 with over 160,000 cels and meticulously lip-synched dialogue. Akira sets record for production costs in 1988 with over 160,000 cels and meticulously lip-synched dialogue.  1990s Anime economy bubble bursts in Japan. Anime economy bubble bursts in Japan. International growth, such as Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, etc. International growth, such as Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, etc.

Limited Animation  Emerged in 1950s.  As opposed to realistic animation championed by Disney. For example, rather than lip-synching every word, just create certain mouth shapes and re-use them. Rather than animating each walk cycle, just animate one cycle and repeat it. For example, rather than lip-synching every word, just create certain mouth shapes and re-use them. Rather than animating each walk cycle, just animate one cycle and repeat it.  Pioneered as a result of low budget television cartoons. Hanna Barbera Productions and United Productions of America. Hanna Barbera Productions and United Productions of America. Seen in most Saturday morning and prime time television cartoons. Seen in most Saturday morning and prime time television cartoons.  Heavily utilized in anime. An extreme example is Dragon Ball Z. An extreme example is Dragon Ball Z. Philosophy that more time should be spent doing few good animations than spending time doing many mediocre animations. Philosophy that more time should be spent doing few good animations than spending time doing many mediocre animations. More effort placed on animating “money shots”. More effort placed on animating “money shots”.

Wild Takes vs Face Faults  Wild Takes Well known in Looney Tunes Well known in Looney Tunes Exaggerated facial expressions Exaggerated facial expressions  Face Faults Symbolic things representing certain emotions. Symbolic things representing certain emotions. For example, sweat drop, nosebleeds, forehead veins, large shining eyes, flames in eyes, giant hammers. For example, sweat drop, nosebleeds, forehead veins, large shining eyes, flames in eyes, giant hammers.  Commonalities Hammer space: pulling ridiculous objects out of thin air Hammer space: pulling ridiculous objects out of thin air

Physics and Timing  American Animation Gravity is negated by fear. Gravity is negated by fear. Prolonged death scenes. Prolonged death scenes. Everything falls faster than an anvil. Everything falls faster than an anvil. Arms and necks holding heavy objects can stretch to infinity. Arms and necks holding heavy objects can stretch to infinity.  Anime Dramatic moments distort time. Dramatic moments distort time. Also prolonged death scenes. Also prolonged death scenes. Scenes repeated in different angles for emphasis. Scenes repeated in different angles for emphasis.

Camera  “Anime regularly uses close-ups of faces, establishing shots, background shots, rack focus, over the shoulder shots, low and high angles, long takes.” php?id= php?id= php?id=1352

Anime Influenced Animation  Styles and techniques are recently influencing American animation.  Examples: Teen Titans, The Boondocks, Aeon Flux